Bunns Rabbit II: The Return of the Spirit Rabbit: (An Illustrated Middle Grade Fantasy Adventure About Magic, Friendship, Courage, and an Epic Battle) - Hardcover

Barillaro, Alan

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 153621468X ISBN 13: 9781536214680

Publisher: Candlewick, 2026

Synopsis

"Action, suspense, and wonder fill the pages, and Bunns, the unassuming hero, learns that the heart is far more powerful than any campaign of anger or greed." —Booklist (starred review)

One adventure has ended, only for a new epic journey to begin . . . Author-illustrator and Academy Award–winning filmmaker Alan Barillaro takes his storytelling and artwork to new heights in a compelling sequel.

When Bunns Rabbit returns from her quest to find the Spirit Fox, she hopes to go back to her quiet life among her family. But Fox has other plans for her. A war is on the horizon, pitting the Spirits of the Sea and Wind against those of the Land and Fire. According to Fox, only one little rabbit stands in their way—her.

This time there is more than just her family on the line. It is up to Bunns to save every living creature on the land before they are washed away by the sea forever. With war imminent and newly acquired powers she barely understands, Bunns must avert disaster and find it within herself to stand up and face this new world, whether she is ready to or not.

With his inviting prose, warm illustrations, and dramatic graphic panels, Alan Barillaro brings another action-packed tale of daring, bravery, and adventure, filled with heart, kindness, and hope.

About this title

About the Author

Alan Barillaro is the acclaimed author and illustrator of Where the Water Takes Us and Today We'll Be Eaten, as well as Bunns Rabbit and its sequel. The Academy Award–winning writer and director of the animated short film Piper, he has been supervising animator on numerous other popular theatrical releases, including The Incredibles, Incredibles 2, WALL-E, and Brave. He began his career in animation at the age of sixteen and spent more than twenty-five years at Pixar Animation Studios. Originally from Niagara Falls, Ontario, Alan Barillaro now lives in California. Find him online at alanbarillaro.com and on Instagram as @alan.barillaro.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Chapter One: The Valley of the Mountain Rabbits
Bunns Rabbit hopped up the mountainside, her fur soaked and muddy. The hard climb to the valley of the mountain rabbits was a twist of roots and rocks, and everywhere Bunns leaped was puddled with rain. It had been a long journey, and Bunns couldn’t remember the last time she and her siblings had found somewhere dry to sleep. The autumn storms had come much earlier than expected and caught them all by surprise. Yet in that moment, no one could find seven happier rabbits.
“We’re nearly there!” Rosie, the youngest, said, speaking louder than a rabbit should when coming upon an unknown place. “Look! This must be it!”
The young rabbits squinted in the heavy rain and, upon seeing the mountain peak, cheered. “Come on and kick those legs!” Flint, the eldest brother, encouraged them. “Let’s hurry—it’s almost nightfall.” He continued faster up the slick rock as Copper chased after him.
“And we’ll get to sleep in a warm, comfy burrow again!” Copper cheered.
“The first one to see Mother and Father wins!” Maple added, catching up to them.
Mila hopped beside Bunns and laughed. “Bunns,” she said, out of breath. “Can you believe it? After all this time, we’ll see Mother and Father again.”
Bunns’s ears fell backward, and there was a sudden lightness in her hop. She had imagined this moment for so long that only her heart could describe her joy.
ThA-thum,
thump, thump . . .
thA-thum, thump,
thump . . .
Her heartsong called. A heartsong is understood by all rabbits, allowing them to feel what another rabbit feels without so much as a word. Though Bunns was exhausted and hungry, the promise of seeing her parents sent her faster up the mountainside.
“Watch out!” Mila cheered. “Bunns is taking the lead!” Bunns crisscrossed upward through the trees and in no time was the first to ascend the grassy mountain ridge.
“She passed you, Flint!” Maple teased.
The trees gave way to a wide valley that sat between endless mountain peaks. Bunns entered the softly sloping valley, feeling the wet grass against her chest. “Mother! Father! We’re here!” Bunns shouted, searching for her parents in the night.
One by one, rabbits appeared from their mountain homes. They stood up on their haunches, wondering what all the commotion could be about. “Who is it now?” they asked one another. “Visitors at this time of night?”
Thump, thump, thump . . .
Beyond the rabbits’ voices, Bunns could feel her parents’ heartsongs calling to her, pointing her home. “I found them!” Bunns announced to her siblings.
“Bunns?” Mother said, leaning out of her mountain den. “Is that really you?”
“Yes, it’s me!” Bunns called back. Though she could barely see her paws in front of her, Bunns ran as fast as she could. She knew her siblings were close behind her. We’re home. We’re finally home, Bunns told herself. Her heartsong reminded her that even in the darkness of night, a rabbit can always find their way. Especially when they’re surrounded by those they love.

Edition details

• Publisher: Candlewick
• Publication date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 153621468X
• ISBN 13: 9781536214680
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Barillaro Alan
• Number of pages: 320